Q: How do private podcasts work and do you allow for chronological episode order?
I'm a course creator who wants to use this for the audio-only versions of my courses (as a replacement to Hello Audio and the now defunct bCast).
I'm looking to both include embeddable podcasts within my existing course platform and also let students add the private podcast to their own player with an RSS feed.
But I've run into issues with other apps trying to put the episodes in reverse chronological order (like a typical episodic podcast) when I want it in chronological order so people can press play in the embedded player and listen to episode 1, then 2, then 3. Can Disctopia do that?
Also, is there a "landing page" for the private podcasts for students to add them to their podcast player of choice? Most will want them added to their regular player instead of downloading a new app, and copying the RSS file directly is confusing.
Patrick_Disctopia
Jan 15, 2025A: 1. Private Podcasts on Disctopia
How Private Podcasts Work:
Private podcasts allow you to create content accessible only to specific audiences, such as your students. You can embed these podcasts in your existing course platform or distribute them via a private RSS feed.
RSS Feed for Private Podcasts:
Yes, students can add the private podcast to their preferred podcast player using the RSS feed. While Disctopia does not require students to download a new app, they would need to copy the RSS feed into their player unless your course platform automates the integration.
2. Chronological Episode Order
Can Disctopia Handle Chronological Ordering?
Yes, Disctopia allows you to control the order of episodes, enabling students to listen in chronological order (e.g., Episode 1 → Episode 2 → Episode 3). This setup works perfectly for courses that require sequential progression. I would recommend doing this as an auidobook.
3. Landing Page for Private Podcasts
Does Disctopia Provide a Landing Page?
Disctopia does not currently offer a dedicated "landing page" for private podcasts, but students can access:
Direct RSS Feed: A link that can be copied into their podcast player.
Embedded Player: Podcasts can be embedded into your course platform for easy access.
To make RSS feed setup more intuitive for your students, you might consider pairing Disctopia with a platform or integration that simplifies the subscription process.